Biophan Technologies has announced the development of a new, ultra-small model of the implantable and wearable, highly precise ceramic SQUIGGLE motor that's half the size of previous models, with significant improvements in precision and electrical efficiency compared to electromagnetic motors.
Biophan holds the exclusive worldwide distribution rights to all medical applications of the SQUIGGLE motor, produced by New Scale Technologies. SQUIGGLE linear motors are five times more efficient and ten times more precise compared to electromagnetic motors. Biophan has been working with New Scale to develop medical applications for the proprietary motor for the $40 billion-plus market for drug delivery products.
"The SQUIGGLE motor's unique features and capabilities offer a number of important advantages as a pump to drive drug delivery systems, catheters, and other potential medical applications that require the highest levels of precision and dependability," said Michael Weiner, CEO of Biophan. "Additionally, because the SQUIGGLE is made from non-magnetic ceramic materials, it is compatible with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) environments. That means that patients who receive either the implanted or wearable SQUIGGLE-based drug delivery systems can be effectively imaged by MRI systems, allowing physicians and patients to receive the many important benefits of MRI imaging."
SQUIGGLE motors use only four parts-about 90% fewer parts than most gear-based and other medical device motors. Because they require no gear reduction, a significant source of failure and malfunction is eliminated, increasing the SQUIGGLE's dependability, about the size of a dime (see photo at http://www.biophan.com/NewScale.jpg). The new SQUIGGLE SQ-306 model is 10 mm in length and 4 mm in diameter, and achieves precision levels in the nanometer-range. The motor's improved power efficiency leads to longer battery life-a critical factor for implanted medical devices where replacements require surgical procedures. The motor's mechanical design is simple and inherently inexpensive to manufacture in high quantities, having only four parts, compared with as many as 100 parts for other biomedical motor technologies.
http://www.biophan.com/
Posted 8th April 2005
